Brick Prepares To Join Neighbors In Curbing Real Estate Soliciting

The Brick Township Council is set to introduce an ordinance on Tuesday night that will make it the latest town to implement restrictions on real estate solicitation.

The ordinance amending the township’s Chapter 324 on “Peddling and Soliciting” will limit door-to-door soliciting of any kind to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or sundown, if sunset is earlier than 6 p.m. and requires kids ages 16 or younger to be accompanied by an adult.

But the meat of the amendment -- Section 324-20 -- addresses real estate soliciting and lists a number of activities that will be illegal if the council approves the amendment, including attempts to influence a person to list their home for sale or to sell it “by representing that the presence or anticipated presence of persons of any particular race, religion or national origin in the area” will have negative consequences.

In other towns where real estate soliciting has been restricted in recent months, including Toms River and Jackson, residents have complained that real estate agents have employed that tactic in trying to get them to sell their homes. Manchester and Berkeley townships have added real estate soliciting restrictions as well.

The proposed Brick ordinance also would prohibit real estate agents from canvassing any resident who has joined the township’s “No Knock” registry.

The council meeting is at 7 p.m. and the first reading of the ordinance does not include a specific public comment period.